95th Auction
2017/5/6
Lot 424
Officine Panerai Brevetee "Radiomir", Rolex SA-Genève, Suisse, 31 Victoires, Haute Precision, Case No. 260796, Ref. 3646 / Type D, Rolex Cal. 618 / Type 1, 47 x 47 mm, circa 1944
A diver’s important German navy watch with original buckle and original leather strap. So far less than 80 watches of this type are known to exist.
Case: steel, screw back with engraving "KG", "Oyster Patent" winding crown type 13. Dial: brass, painted, black. Movm.: bridge movement, monometallic screw balance.
Watches of the Reference 3646 / Type D are featured in the book "Vintage Panerai - The References" by Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann in chapter II.IV (page 398-531) including a historic photo of a “Kampfschwimmer” wearing a 3646 with brass dial on page 475. In this part of the book, an overview of different decorative polish on the inside of the caseback (Type A –Type G) can be found on page 486. Radiomir Panerai
Because of the 1914 invention of the luminous material "Radiomir" - a mix of zinc sulfide and radium bromide - the Panerai dials could be read well at night and in deep water. Panerai made use of this advantage in his watches and was commissioned to produce the first diver's wristwatches, called "Radiomir". The first prototypes were still produced at Rolex, the later watches and their cases were produced at Panerai according to Oyster standards. In 1936 the Panerai Radiomir became a part of the secret naval equipment.
Source: "Armbanduhren Klassik Katalog", Koenigswinter 2005, page 146.
With the kind support of Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann, www.vintagepanerai.com, the highly recommended website for vintage Panerai watches.
A diver’s important German navy watch with original buckle and original leather strap. So far less than 80 watches of this type are known to exist.
Case: steel, screw back with engraving "KG", "Oyster Patent" winding crown type 13. Dial: brass, painted, black. Movm.: bridge movement, monometallic screw balance.
Watches of the Reference 3646 / Type D are featured in the book "Vintage Panerai - The References" by Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann in chapter II.IV (page 398-531) including a historic photo of a “Kampfschwimmer” wearing a 3646 with brass dial on page 475. In this part of the book, an overview of different decorative polish on the inside of the caseback (Type A –Type G) can be found on page 486. Radiomir Panerai
Because of the 1914 invention of the luminous material "Radiomir" - a mix of zinc sulfide and radium bromide - the Panerai dials could be read well at night and in deep water. Panerai made use of this advantage in his watches and was commissioned to produce the first diver's wristwatches, called "Radiomir". The first prototypes were still produced at Rolex, the later watches and their cases were produced at Panerai according to Oyster standards. In 1936 the Panerai Radiomir became a part of the secret naval equipment.
Source: "Armbanduhren Klassik Katalog", Koenigswinter 2005, page 146.
With the kind support of Ralf Ehlers & Volker Wiegmann, www.vintagepanerai.com, the highly recommended website for vintage Panerai watches.
estimated
55.000—70.000 €
Price realized
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